Toronto-based Private Capital Markets Association of Canada (PCMA) has announced that Georgina Blanas has joined the PCMA as its new full-time executive director.
“Georgina brings considerable experience in government, industry and public affairs to the PCMA and she will strengthen our operational capabilities and help lead the PCMA into 2016 and beyond,” says Doug Bedard, chairman of the PCMA, in a statement released on Wednesday.
Blanas comes to the PCMA from her role as national director of public affairs for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. She has also held leadership positions at the Canadian Restaurant Association, Accessible Media Inc. and Cool Beer Brewing Co. in addition to having acted as an advisor to governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
Blanas began in her new role in November, taking over from Geoffrey Ritchie who was executive director since 2009. He remains in a senior leadership role at the association.
“I am pleased to pass the baton to Georgina to lead our talented PCMA staff. Together they will focus on enhancing our engagement with members, developing new services, and supporting our committees, networks and chapters activities across Canada,” says Ritchie in the statement.
“The PCMA will also be broadening our very successful regulatory advocacy program to include a more comprehensive public affairs strategy to engage regulators, governments and the industry on the issues that matter to our members and the future of our private capital markets,” he adds.
Says Blanas through a statement: “I am honoured to join the PCMA team and work closely with the board, committees and a number of volunteers who have made a tremendous contribution to the association over the years. I want to recognize Geoffrey Ritchie for his strong leadership and many achievements in demonstrating the value of a national voice for the private capital markets.”
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